CEO Update - April 2026
The month started with a Board Away Day, where we discussed how we will continue to improve the support we provide to our members and the broader profession. We explored challenges and opportunities around professional development, careers in IR, and further expanding a vibrant and valuable professional community.
I also joined the second module of Deliver, our executive education programme, delivered in partnership with Berenberg.
While the first module focuses on markets, the second module focuses on skills - what strategic and tactical abilities do IROs need to succeed?
We examined investor targeting, applying best practice IR during times of change and crisis, using AI, and how IR teams can respond to the broader factors influencing the modernisation of corporate reporting.
One of the highlights of my month was co-hosting our newcomers to IR breakfast, a special event for our members who have just started their careers, or recently moved into the IR function. These events connect newcomers with their peer group, and more experienced members, helping them to quickly developing a supportive professional network.
It was fascinating to hear the different views and perceptions of those who had in most cases, worked in IR for less than a year.
The mixture of exceptional financial and communications skills, knowledge, and experience left me in no doubt there is a great flow of talent arriving into IR functions and teams.
One of the themes we kept coming back to you was the criticality of understanding internal relationships and dynamics. You can find an excellent summary from one of my co-hosts Gulshen Patel on LinkedIn but one point that really stuck with me was the importance of understanding what really matters - knowing the difference between the rubber balls you can drop and pick up later, and the glass ones you can’t.
I’ve spoken in my recent updates about the importance of supporting our members in achieving their career ambitions and I was so pleased to see us launch a new member benefit which allows our members to post for free on our Job Zone. This is a tangible and practical development that will allow hiring firms to access a targeted and relevant pool of IR talent, and provide ambitious individuals with access to exciting new roles.
If you’re a member and you’re hiring, please do think about posting with us, it costs you nothing and could help you find your next IR star.
I’ve also spoken frequently about the importance of nurturing our international relationships. Our AI working group delivered a fantastic webinar for our counterparts in MEIRA. AI is a topic full of technical considerations and complexity, with lots of different products, services and providers to choose from, but this webinar was full of clear actionable advice. Whichever tools or applications you’re using, we explored how to think about an AI strategy, how understanding AI can extract more value from reporting, and how using chatbots can fundamentally improve communication with investors and stakeholders. You can expect much more to come from our AI working group, so watch this space.
Finally, I spent the morning at TheCityUK’s international conference, which explored the UK’s place as an international financial centre. Panels and speakers discussed the levers needed to unlock growth, implement proportional regulation, and promote the UK on a global stage. We know this is an important topic for our members, and it was very encouraging to hear the level of alignment between financial services, business and policymakers, both domestic and international.
Looking ahead to May, we’ve got an exciting variety of events and training coming up, including seminars, masterclasses, and courses on topics including investor engagement, best practice approaches to consensus, and working with fund managers.
On the topic of events, I can’t miss this opportunity to remind you of the excellent programme for this year’s annual conference, taking place on June 24th in London. Tickets are available for both members and non-members, I hope to see you there.